Russia says Iran not breaching nuclear non-proliferation treaty

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-8-2005_pg4_19

MOSCOW: Russia, Iran’s nuclear partner, said on Thursday it saw no evidence Tehran was breaching the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Iran angered the European Union and the United States by resuming uranium conversion work earlier this month, rejecting EU incentives offered in return for giving up its nuclear programme.

“There is no reason to think that the existence of this threat has been proved,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by state news agencies as saying.

“If a threat to the non-proliferation regime appears, we will work seriously on that matter,” he added.

[salib]

1. Current defense budget amount puts Russia alongside with NATO members

http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/351/16053_defense.html

So, Russia is right where the NATO members are in terms of defense spending. Seems they have a little more moral authority on this issue.

[bribri16]

2. But,on the other hand, the US and Israel are. n/t

[VegasWolf]

3. Bush screwed every which way he turns. He will really need his meds

increased now!

[MasonJar]

4. Maybe and maybe not, but the US is.